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Time for a long time coming [THREAD]
My top 10 war movies/series.
However, I'll also point out their utility for #PME beside recommending them for their historical and artistic value.
I'll go with a chronological order.
Don't expect to see Zulu, Platoon or BHD.
Time for a long time coming [THREAD]
My top 10 war movies/series.
However, I'll also point out their utility for #PME beside recommending them for their historical and artistic value.
I'll go with a chronological order.
Don't expect to see Zulu, Platoon or BHD.
Every entry will feature a small appraisal, interest for PME and recommendations for similar films on specific themes.
I've promised to a few people including @CharlotteBratby and @HariwaldA amongst others.
I'll start with a 1930 film that is THE best #WW1 movie up to this day.
I've promised to a few people including @CharlotteBratby and @HariwaldA amongst others.
I'll start with a 1930 film that is THE best #WW1 movie up to this day.
All Quiet on The Western Front, 1930, L. Milestone is a pre-code adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque's masterpiece.
It hasn't aged and is more powerful than the gimmicky 1917 for instance and powerfully conveys its anti-war message.
It hasn't aged and is more powerful than the gimmicky 1917 for instance and powerfully conveys its anti-war message.
Themes for #PME
Mil history: remarkable depiction of trench warfare and testimony of anti-war sentiment in the 1930s.
Trg and leadership: toxic Prussian style trg vs benevolent coaching by experienced NCOs on the front.
Moral: Shell shock, brotherhood.
Mil history: remarkable depiction of trench warfare and testimony of anti-war sentiment in the 1930s.
Trg and leadership: toxic Prussian style trg vs benevolent coaching by experienced NCOs on the front.
Moral: Shell shock, brotherhood.
Alternatives:
The most excellent Paths of Glory is a mixture of courtroom drama and war movie, anti-war as well with a heart wrenching ending.
No Man's Land (2001), about Yugo civil war is another great, and more recent, example of great anti-war movies.
The most excellent Paths of Glory is a mixture of courtroom drama and war movie, anti-war as well with a heart wrenching ending.
No Man's Land (2001), about Yugo civil war is another great, and more recent, example of great anti-war movies.
Twelve O'Clock High (1949), H. King.
The story of a USAAF general, taking over a bomber unit that has been taking a battering. It's a touching tribute to the men of the 8th Air Force who faced terrifying odds in the skies over Nazi occupied Europe.
The story of a USAAF general, taking over a bomber unit that has been taking a battering. It's a touching tribute to the men of the 8th Air Force who faced terrifying odds in the skies over Nazi occupied Europe.
Themes for #PME
History: Allied aerial bombing campaign, not as entertaining as Memphis Belle but
Leadership: One of the best movie about leadership with Peck delivering a powerful, driven and conflicted cmdr figure.
Moral: One of the best film about PTSD with a twist in the end.
History: Allied aerial bombing campaign, not as entertaining as Memphis Belle but
Leadership: One of the best movie about leadership with Peck delivering a powerful, driven and conflicted cmdr figure.
Moral: One of the best film about PTSD with a twist in the end.
Alternatives
Memphis Belle is the go-to film about USAAF bomber crews but I much prefer The Cold Blue (2019) when it comes to understanding what these airmen went through.
About WW2's toll on sailors, The Cruel Sea (1953), a close contender to my choice.
Memphis Belle is the go-to film about USAAF bomber crews but I much prefer The Cold Blue (2019) when it comes to understanding what these airmen went through.
About WW2's toll on sailors, The Cruel Sea (1953), a close contender to my choice.
The Bridge on the River Kwai, 1957, D. Lean.
The best film about WW2 in the Far East (can someone please make an epic about Wingate's circus?) and the best film about military discipline.
It's a David Lean, nuff said, and the actors are incredible.
The best film about WW2 in the Far East (can someone please make an epic about Wingate's circus?) and the best film about military discipline.
It's a David Lean, nuff said, and the actors are incredible.
Themes for #PME
History: A great look at a criminally under-represented theatre of WW2
Leadership: Showing that upholding values is a double-edged sword. How to prioritise them when they conflict each other?
Moral: Maintain unit cohesion/escape to fight? https://thearmyleader.co.uk/rsm-lord/
History: A great look at a criminally under-represented theatre of WW2
Leadership: Showing that upholding values is a double-edged sword. How to prioritise them when they conflict each other?
Moral: Maintain unit cohesion/escape to fight? https://thearmyleader.co.uk/rsm-lord/
Alternatives
The Great Escape (1963) since we're talking about escapes but I will also suggest my all time favourite film, which is a war flick, but didn't make the cut because it's more of an epic:
The Great Escape (1963) since we're talking about escapes but I will also suggest my all time favourite film, which is a war flick, but didn't make the cut because it's more of an epic:
The 317th Platoon (1965), P. Schoendoerffer.
Possibly the best French war movie ever although this could be The Grand Illusion (1937).
A pltn of Vietnamese soldiers led by a young and keen Lt and his grizzled ex-Wehrmacht Sgt trek through the jungle...
Possibly the best French war movie ever although this could be The Grand Illusion (1937).
A pltn of Vietnamese soldiers led by a young and keen Lt and his grizzled ex-Wehrmacht Sgt trek through the jungle...
Themes for #PME
History: Seen many movies about the 1st Indochina War? The director is a veteran of that war btw.
Leadership: Probably the best film about the Lt/SNCO dynamic. Also great on Mission Command.
Moral: Doesn't address torture/war crimes but
History: Seen many movies about the 1st Indochina War? The director is a veteran of that war btw.
Leadership: Probably the best film about the Lt/SNCO dynamic. Also great on Mission Command.
Moral: Doesn't address torture/war crimes but
Alternatives
Talking about New Wave/Hyper realistic movies, The Battle of Algiers (1966) comes to mind. The other great war film in artistic B&W is Devils on the Doorstep (2000), however watch '71 about being stranded in enemy territory.
Talking about New Wave/Hyper realistic movies, The Battle of Algiers (1966) comes to mind. The other great war film in artistic B&W is Devils on the Doorstep (2000), however watch '71 about being stranded in enemy territory.
The Deer Hunter (1978), M. Cimino.
A masterpiece with a stellar cast including a dying John Cazale. It's not so much about the Vietnam war but what war does to individuals and to the social and familial fabric of a community.
A masterpiece with a stellar cast including a dying John Cazale. It's not so much about the Vietnam war but what war does to individuals and to the social and familial fabric of a community.
Themes for #PME
History: THE best film about what Vietnam did to the US collective psyche
Leadership: A holistic approach to taking care of your own, to the importance of emotional support and communities.
Moral: That scene
History: THE best film about what Vietnam did to the US collective psyche
Leadership: A holistic approach to taking care of your own, to the importance of emotional support and communities.
Moral: That scene
Alternatives
1st and foremost, Ken Burns' Vietnam, a must see although still too US centric. About trauma, Waltz with Bashir (2008) about Israeli involvement in Sabra & Shatila massacre and THE best TV series about Vietnam: China Beach (1988-91)...
1st and foremost, Ken Burns' Vietnam, a must see although still too US centric. About trauma, Waltz with Bashir (2008) about Israeli involvement in Sabra & Shatila massacre and THE best TV series about Vietnam: China Beach (1988-91)...
Come and See (1985) E. Klimov.
War on the Eastern Front seen through the eyes of a Soviet child involved in the fighting. Horrors of war laid bare in front of us, a harrowing experience for the viewer. A must watch.
War on the Eastern Front seen through the eyes of a Soviet child involved in the fighting. Horrors of war laid bare in front of us, a harrowing experience for the viewer. A must watch.
Themes for #PME
History: A movie that isn't Putinian propaganda nor German watered down chronicle.
Values: What happens when soldiers are taught to see whole populations as subhumans and given free reign or orders to wreak havoc.
NSFW-discretion advised:
History: A movie that isn't Putinian propaganda nor German watered down chronicle.
Values: What happens when soldiers are taught to see whole populations as subhumans and given free reign or orders to wreak havoc.
NSFW-discretion advised:
The closest contender was Ivan's Childhood (1962).
But the closest gut punch about the consequences of war on the civ pop has to be Grave of the Fireflies (1988).
About child soldiers, see Johnny Mad Dog (2008).
About genocide, The Killing Fields (1984).
But the closest gut punch about the consequences of war on the civ pop has to be Grave of the Fireflies (1988).
About child soldiers, see Johnny Mad Dog (2008).
About genocide, The Killing Fields (1984).
The Thin Red Line (1998), T. Malick.
Adapted from the book by James Jones, a veteran of Guadalcanal. Where Jones studied, like an entomologist, the workings of a regt of the 25th Div, Malick goes further, diving in the heart and souls of the characters.
Adapted from the book by James Jones, a veteran of Guadalcanal. Where Jones studied, like an entomologist, the workings of a regt of the 25th Div, Malick goes further, diving in the heart and souls of the characters.
Themes for #PME
History: Guadalcanal 1942, as if you were there...
Moral: Not shying away from showing US troops war crimes but also asking what makes a man give his own life for another.
Leadership: That scene
History: Guadalcanal 1942, as if you were there...
Moral: Not shying away from showing US troops war crimes but also asking what makes a man give his own life for another.
Leadership: That scene
Alternatives
The Pacific, a better series than Band of Brothers IMHO. The Clint Eastwood diptych Flags of Our Fathers/Letters from Iwo Jima. Brotherhood (2004), a Korean war movie deserves a mention here too.
The Pacific, a better series than Band of Brothers IMHO. The Clint Eastwood diptych Flags of Our Fathers/Letters from Iwo Jima. Brotherhood (2004), a Korean war movie deserves a mention here too.
I've been focusing on 20th-21st century.
However, costume dramas deserve, at least, one entry.
One certainly deserves a spot here and it's Master and Commander.
The action & rythm, the acting, the epic tone, everything is spot on.
However, costume dramas deserve, at least, one entry.
One certainly deserves a spot here and it's Master and Commander.
The action & rythm, the acting, the epic tone, everything is spot on.
Themes for #PME
History: I mean, come on, the reconstitution of war at sea in the age of sails is stunning.
Moral: Such a great example of the virtues of teamwork, innovation, courage etc.
Leadership: This scene
History: I mean, come on, the reconstitution of war at sea in the age of sails is stunning.
Moral: Such a great example of the virtues of teamwork, innovation, courage etc.
Leadership: This scene
Alternatives
Watch Glory (1989) about race and leadership despite its White saviour trope.
If you really want a movie with 'Zulu' in the title, watch Zulu Dawn rather than Zulu.
Was there ever a better movie about a battle than Waterloo (1970)?
Watch Glory (1989) about race and leadership despite its White saviour trope.
If you really want a movie with 'Zulu' in the title, watch Zulu Dawn rather than Zulu.
Was there ever a better movie about a battle than Waterloo (1970)?
Probably one of the best films out there about what how absurd wars can be, the dichotomy between the war we want and the ones we end up fighting, about boredom, nightmares and fantasies. About what us, 21st century soldiers have experienced.
Themes for #PME
History: No details on 1st Gulf War but the environment will be familiar to people who fought during the GWoT
Leadership: A scathing attack on military brand of bullshit and meaningless tasks
Moral: Why do I do this job? Because of this
History: No details on 1st Gulf War but the environment will be familiar to people who fought during the GWoT
Leadership: A scathing attack on military brand of bullshit and meaningless tasks
Moral: Why do I do this job? Because of this
Alternatives
HBO's Generation Kill (2008) of course.
If you absolutely want to see something about Iraq, rather than The Hurt Locker or American Sniper, watch Battle for Haditha (2007).
Talking about unassuming greatness: Warriors (1999) about Bosnia.
HBO's Generation Kill (2008) of course.
If you absolutely want to see something about Iraq, rather than The Hurt Locker or American Sniper, watch Battle for Haditha (2007).
Talking about unassuming greatness: Warriors (1999) about Bosnia.
This is the last one.
I promised a list of ten and I will deliver.
Before I do, I need to deliver a list of honourable mentions that didn't make it in the list for some reason.
First all the movies that I grew up watching. The Dirty Dozen, the Battle of Britain, the Longest Day
I promised a list of ten and I will deliver.
Before I do, I need to deliver a list of honourable mentions that didn't make it in the list for some reason.
First all the movies that I grew up watching. The Dirty Dozen, the Battle of Britain, the Longest Day
Kelly's Heroes, yeah, I love them too, let's give them a shout out.
Also the ones I didn't mention while they ARE cinema landmarks: Apocalypse Now, Full Metal Jacket - maybe the best one about basic trg.
And those underrated ones, Zwartboek, L'armée des ombres, Tora Tora Tora...
Also the ones I didn't mention while they ARE cinema landmarks: Apocalypse Now, Full Metal Jacket - maybe the best one about basic trg.
And those underrated ones, Zwartboek, L'armée des ombres, Tora Tora Tora...
Kippur, The Cranes Are Flying, Land and Freedom, Tuntematon Sotilas and so many others. Animes about war and the military too: Gundam, Macross, Attack on Titans but particularly Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood. They all deserve watching but I had to choose and I did
But if you want to show people the most accurate and up to date snapshot of war in our day and age, this is it.
Maybe I'm partial, because hey, Afghanistan you know... But no. It's not that, it's the real deal down to the tears.
Maybe I'm partial, because hey, Afghanistan you know... But no. It's not that, it's the real deal down to the tears.
Themes for #PME
It's over, Afghanistan is nearly over. Whether it's your grandchildren or your 'nigs/crows', this is what you'll show when you want to tell them how it was.
That or the combat footage you weren't supposed to film in Helmand. The one that's not on a HD *wink wink*
It's over, Afghanistan is nearly over. Whether it's your grandchildren or your 'nigs/crows', this is what you'll show when you want to tell them how it was.
That or the combat footage you weren't supposed to film in Helmand. The one that's not on a HD *wink wink*
Alternatives
Armadillo of course. But also all the great documentaries shot in the middle of the fighting before that. The Anderson Platoon by the director of the 317th Platoon mentioned above. The og Memphis Belle (1944) and so many others...
Armadillo of course. But also all the great documentaries shot in the middle of the fighting before that. The Anderson Platoon by the director of the 317th Platoon mentioned above. The og Memphis Belle (1944) and so many others...
